Hosts serving a warm brunch for two to four
Choose a pack size and heating method that fit a small Mother’s Day-style table, rather than relying on a premium range name alone.
Who these croissants suit
Planners who can bake from frozen
This format suits households with freezer space and an oven who want to serve croissants freshly baked.
Shoppers accommodating gluten or allergen needs
Compare the current ingredient and allergen declaration before serving guests: a gluten-free croissant can still contain milk and egg.
What to check before buying
Start with how many people you are serving and whether you can heat or bake the croissants shortly before brunch.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh serving | Check whether the croissants are raw and frozen, ready to eat, or only need warming. Follow the stated oven or air-fryer instructions. | I want to serve pastry warm at the table, so I need enough oven time rather than a pack that is only suitable to eat as sold. |
| Pack size | Match the pack count to your guest list. Waitrose No.1 is a two-croissant pack, while Tesco Finest and Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference packs contain four; M&S ready-to-bake croissants come in a pack of eight. | For a breakfast for two, a smaller pack may be more practical. For a family table, I need enough croissants without an extra shopping trip. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredient list and precautionary statement. Butter croissants commonly contain wheat, milk and egg, and some packs carry nut-related warnings. | If guests have allergies or intolerances, I need the exact pack label rather than assuming that all-butter or gluten-free describes every dietary requirement. |
| Storage and cooking | Confirm whether freezer storage is needed and whether the product must be fully baked. Frozen items should remain at the stated storage temperature until preparation. | I need a format that fits my freezer space, oven capacity and serving schedule on the day. |
Common buying pitfalls
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Assuming all-butter means every pack suits the same occasion
Pack counts, butter proportions, preparation states and heating instructions differ. A two-pack can suit a couple, while a raw frozen product cannot be served without cooking.
Start with guest numbers and whether you can bake shortly before serving, then compare the exact pack rather than the range name.
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Assuming gluten-free means allergy-safe for every guest
M&S Made Without Wheat All Butter Croissants are labelled gluten free, but list butter, milk and egg. Other butter croissants commonly contain wheat, milk and egg.
Check each guest’s requirements against the current ingredients and precautionary allergen statement before serving.
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Buying frozen croissants without planning storage and cooking
Frozen croissants need freezer space and oven time, which can be difficult when preparing several brunch dishes at once.
Confirm whether an item is ambient, chilled or frozen before checkout, and allow oven space and cooking time in the serving plan.
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Using old promotional offers or availability as a shopping plan
Loyalty offers, delivery slots and bakery availability can vary by date and store.
Check the selected store’s current stock, price, collection or delivery options, and the pack label, before the event.
Relevant supermarket croissant ranges
M&S
M&S offers an eight-piece frozen ready-to-bake all-butter croissant format and a Made Without Wheat gluten-free all-butter alternative.
- The ready-to-bake pack is raw, frozen and intended for baking before serving; M&S lists 24% butter.
- The Made Without Wheat option is gluten free but contains butter, milk and egg, so the current label remains important.
Waitrose
Waitrose No.1 offers a two-croissant all-butter option prepared in France with French butter and flour.
- Waitrose lists 33% butter and recommends serving the croissants warm, which suits a small breakfast table.
- The product contains wheat, milk and egg and may contain nuts.
Tesco Finest
Tesco Finest provides a four-pack all-butter croissant option with a French-churned-butter recipe and short warming instructions.
- Tesco lists 25% butter and states that the croissants can be warmed from ambient or frozen.
- Any Clubcard offer is conditional and time-limited, so compare the current checkout price for your store.
Sainsbury’s
Taste the Difference supplies a four-pack all-butter croissant intended to be eaten as sold or warmed shortly before serving.
- Sainsbury’s lists 29% French butter and provides oven and air-fryer guidance.
- The croissants contain wheat, milk and egg; Nectar offers are conditional promotional prices rather than a permanent comparison point.
Lidl
Lidl lists an in-store All Butter Croissant for same-day local bakery shopping.
- Lidl identifies the item as available in store.
- Check the local store for price and confirm the current pack details; the listed allergens are milk, wheat and egg.
Asda
Asda is an in-scope option to check locally for bake-from-frozen all-butter croissants.
- It may be convenient when it fits your usual grocery shop.
- Confirm the current pack’s recipe, allergens, cooking instructions and availability before comparing it with other options.
Joybuy croissant options
These Joybuy options focus on frozen bake-at-home croissants for a warm breakfast or brunch where freezer storage and oven access are available.
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Pret A Manger Butter Croissants 330g
A plain frozen butter-croissant option for hosts who can bake shortly before serving.
Made with 24% French-sourced butter and baked from frozen in 20 minutes.
Keep frozen at -18°C or cooler. Contains wheat, gluten, milk and egg; may contain nuts, sesame and soya. Check the pack serving count before planning portions.
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Pret A Manger 6 Chocolate Filled Croissants 420G
A six-piece frozen option for a shared brunch when a chocolate-filled pastry suits the menu.
The pack has chocolate filling and topping, with an oven-from-frozen method of approximately 22 minutes.
Requires frozen storage. Contains wheat, gluten, milk, egg and soya, and is not suitable for nut or sesame allergy sufferers.
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Pret A Manger Almond Croissants 280g
A frozen almond-filled option for hosts who want a flavoured pastry to bake and serve warm.
The recipe includes almond filling, flaked-almond topping and 15% butter.
Keep frozen at -18°C or cooler and bake before serving. Contains wheat, gluten, milk, egg and almonds; check the pack for baking time and serving count.
Frequently asked questions
Are premium croissants usually ready to serve straight from the pack?
No. Check the preparation state on the exact pack: Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference croissants are ready to eat but can be warmed, while M&S ready-to-bake croissants are raw and must be baked. Frozen products also need freezer storage and cooking time before serving.
What allergens should I expect in a butter croissant?
Wheat, milk and egg are common in the verified all-butter products covered here. Some products also carry precautionary nut statements, so check the current package or retailer label for every item when serving guests with allergies or coeliac disease.
Does a gluten-free croissant suit everyone avoiding allergens?
No. M&S Made Without Wheat All Butter Croissants are labelled gluten free but list butter, milk and egg. The Food Standards Agency says food businesses must provide allergen information for prepacked and non-prepacked food, so use the current ingredient declaration and precautionary statement for the individual guest’s needs.
Can I rely on an online loyalty offer when planning a brunch?
No. Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury’s Nectar offers can be conditional and time-limited. Check the current price and stock at checkout for the selected store rather than budgeting from an earlier promotion.
When is the next Mothering Sunday in the UK?
Mothering Sunday in the UK is on Sunday 7 March 2027. Seasonal ranges, delivery slots and promotional availability should be checked closer to the date.